If you're interested in caring for a relative or friend's child

If you think that your relative or friend’s child is in foster care, and you want to care for them, keep reading this page.

Note

If we've already placed a child with you, learn more about what to expect and what you'll need to do during the first two months of placement.

Contact the caseworker

  • If you know your relative or friend's child is in foster care, ask the family for the caseworker's name and contact the caseworker. If you do not have the caseworker's contact details, you can look them up in the DCYF employee directory.
  • If you aren’t sure whether a relative or friend's child is in foster care, call the local child welfare office that serves the area in which the family lives. When DCYF staff answer the phone, tell them you’re calling because you believe your relative or friend's child entered care. While they cannot tell you if the child or youth is in care, they can pass your name and contact information the caseworker. 

If the child or youth lives outside of Washington state

You may be concerned about a relative or friend’s child who lives outside of Washington state. The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) is an agreement that governs the placement of children from one state into another state.

Learn more about how children in another state's child welfare custody process are placed in Washington state through the ICPC.

If you got a relative search letter

Learn about ways you can support your relatives. Then, decide if you are able to help. You can:

  • Respond to the letter by completing the online form.
  • Call or email the search specialist listed in your letter.

If you have questions about a Relative Search Inquiry letter, email one of the staff listed on the Relative Search and Notification page.

We’ll continue to search for relatives until the child or youth is in a permanent living situation.